Saudi Arabia has swept away players who had their best days in Europe with oil money.
On the 4th (Korea Standard Time), the soccer statistics media “Transfermarkt” released the best 11 consisting of the most expensive players from the five European leagues (Premier League, La Liga, Serie A, Bundesliga, and Ligue 1).
The formation was 3-5-2 and the names were Alex Tesera (Jiangsu Suning, about 74.2 billion won), Aleksandar Mitrovic (Al Hilal, about 78.1 billion won), Neymar (Al Hilal, about 133.6 billion won), Oscar (Shanghai High River, about 89.1 billion won), Musa Diaby (Al Itihad, about 89.1 billion won), Hoobeng Neves (Al Hilal, about 81.7 billion won), Fabinho (Al Itihad, about 69.3 billion won), Emrik Laport (Al Nasr, about 40.8 billion won), Axel Witzel (Gennit, about 59.4 billion won), Hojer Ibañez (Al Ahli, about 44.5 billion won), and Yashin Bunu (Al Hilal, about 31.1 billion won). 메이저놀이터
The destination that drew the most attention last summer was Saudi Arabia. Until the winter transfer window of the 2022-23 season, when Cristiano Ronaldo headed to Saudi Arabia, he thought the game would be over. However, Saudi Arabia has started recruiting the team in earnest.
Saudi Arabia’s recruitment process was beyond imagination. Players who had the best skills in Europe, including Ballon d’Or winner Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kante, and Kalidou Koulibaly, have moved to Saudi Arabia. Riyad Mahrez, who made a treble with Manchester City last season, also headed to Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, he has recruited players from his prime such as Sergei Milinkovic-Savic and Neves. Rather than just recruiting players, he even tapped Steven Gerrard to become a coach.
European world-class players were able to move to Saudi Arabia because they had oil money. Saudi Arabia has been attracting players by offering huge salaries and transfer fees. Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal even offered a historic offer to buy Kylian Mbappe. Al-Hilal offered a transfer fee of 300 million euros and an annual salary of 700 million euros. This clearly demonstrated Saudi Arabia’s oil money.
Before Saudi Arabia’s oil money, there was China’s yellow dust money. China invested a lot of money in the soccer industry. In particular, famous players from Europe were brought to the Chinese Super League for a large transfer fee. Oscar, Hulk, Carlos Tevez, Paulinho, and Ezekiel Ravelci played in the Super League.
The Super League had a lot of interest in the beginning, but it didn’t last. There were many famous players, but investment gradually decreased as they failed to expand the base of Chinese soccer. In addition, many players left the Super League soon because of China’s poor environment.
Saudi Arabia also has no idea how long it will be able to maintain its current investment. Although the country can receive large salaries, it is not a good country to live in. Some players are already struggling to get out of Saudi Arabia. Jordan Henderson moved to Ajax in less than a season after he left for Saudi Arabia. Benzema also continuously said that he wants to leave the country.